We have also put together lists of the books on God’s Sovereignty that a believer must read along the way. The divine name, Yahweh, expresses this sovereign rule over against the claims of human kings, like Pharaoh (Exod. 3:14). However, because God is tripersonal, his sovereign control is not impersonal or mechanical but rather the loving and gracious oversight of the king of creation and redemption. God’s sovereignty is the fact that he is the Lord over creation; as sovereign, he exercises his rule through his presence with his people and throughout his creation.
The term “sovereignty” is seldom used in modern Bible translations, although it is a vital biblical doctrine. Scripture often calls God the one who rules over all. A sovereign is a ruler, a king or a lord. His most common proper name in the English Bible, Yahweh (see Ex. 3:14), is generally translated Lord. The name “Lord” occurs more than 7,000 times as the name of God, and more precisely, as the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, talking about God’s sovereignty is talking about God’s lordship, which is talking about God’s godness, or what makes him God. The biblical concept of God’s sovereignty or lordship is characterized by the major elements of God’s dominion, power, and presence.
He has everything under control, so it happens the way he wants it to. He is in a position of authority, and all his orders are to be obeyed. When we come into God’s presence, we are in his authority and his control, and we cannot escape his love or his justice. The first of these, his dominion, is what theologians normally mean when they speak of “divine sovereignty.” In fact, the Bible does teach that God is in control of everything. He has an eternal plan for all of nature and history (Ephesians 1:9–11). God discloses his name, Yahweh, or God’s Lordship, when he encounters Moses in Exodus 3, where he finds out that God, not Pharaoh, is in control of Egypt and Israel.
But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. (Exod. 3:19–20)
Below are lists of books on God’s Sovereignty:
A Sweet and Bitter Providence – John Piper
God Himself (A Journey Through His Attributes) – Tony Evans
Our God is Awesome (Encountering the Greatness of Our God) – Tony Evans
